FORT COLLINS, Colo. (UNLVRebels.com) -
UNLV fell behind 14-0 to start the game after missing its first 12 shots and were held to a season low in total points in a 60-44 setback at Colorado State in Mountain West women's basketball action on Wednesday night at Moby Arena. The loss dropped the Lady Rebels to 10-16 on the year, but they remain alone in fourth place in the MW at 6-6. CSU meanwhile improved to 9-15 overall, 5-6 in league play.

The Rams would lead 20-4 just over 10 minutes into the game, mostly due to the play of Sam Martin, who scored 13 of her game-high 25 points during that stretch. The lead was at 16 twice more in the first half, 22-6 and again at 24-8 with 6:55 to play. UNLV would finally have a few shots fall its way in the final minutes of the half, scoring 12 of the last 18 points to close within 10 at the break. Kelli Thompson scored all six of her first half points during that run, while Amie Callaway's offensive rebound and putback with 16 seconds left closed the scoring. UNLV finished the half shooting 6-of-37 for 16.2%, and missed all 10 attempts from downtown.

The second half opened with three straight points from UNLV. The Lady Rebels had a chance to close within four, but a Thompson trey was off the mark. CSU then scored four straight to extend the lead back to double-digits, 34-23 at the 17:21 mark. The Rams would not score again for the next four minutes, and a 6-0 run from UNLV cut the edge to just five, 34-29 on a pair of Réjane Vérin free throws with 13:25 to play.

UNLV then suffered another cold spell, missing five shots and going four minutes without scoring. CSU reeled off seven unanswered, the beginning of a 14-3 run for the Rams. Back-to-back baskets from Haley Thompson, the second a three-pointer, ended that run for a 48-32 edge with 6:44 to play. UNLV came no closer then 14 the rest of the way.

UNLV's final field goal percentage of 21.1% (15-of-71) was its lowest of the season, as was its 2-of-23 (8.7%) from three-point range. Vérin paced the Lady Rebels with her third double-double of the year, a career-high 14 points and 13 rebounds. Thompson, the league's leading scorer, was held to 10 points, while Amanda Anderson added nine off the bench. Both teams finished with 50 rebounds each, while UNLV came up with 12 steals off 16 CSU turnovers.

Joining Martin in double-figures for the Rams was Meghan Heimstra with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Alicia Nicholas scored 14 points off the bench. CSU shot 40% (24-of-60) for the game and was 7-of-23 from three-point range for 30.4%.

UNLV returns to action on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Wyoming at 3 pm in the Cox Pavilion. The game is UNLV's Play4Kay game this year, to help recognize breast cancer awareness, and all fans wearing pink to the game receive $2 admission.